Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Action-RPG

The first download pack for Dark Souls II, Crown of the Sunken King, has launched today. The release marks the debut of The Lost Crowns trilogy, a download-only expansion set that adds new enemies, locations, and bosses. Crown of the Sunken King is set in an underground cavern filled with stepped pyramids, within which will be found the first of several prized crowns that were previously owned by King Vendrick.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, the iOS re-release of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, has hit the App Store. The $14.99 action role-playing game is based around the series’ traditional hunting-and-crafting system, with players taking down beasts of all sizes in order to harvest their hide and bone. The iOS version features higher resolution graphics, supporting up to 2048×1536 on iPad, optimized touch-screen controls, a more responsive camera, four-player co-op support over WiFi, and support for MFi controllers.

Battle Princess of Arcadias, a side-scrolling beat ‘em up action RPG from NIS, has launched on PSN. As Battle Princess Plume, players must save the Kingdom of Schwert by destroying waves of invading monsters. The princess is capable of recruiting soldiers, upgrading her skills, and building a varied arsenal that includes axes, swords, spears, and even guns.

The last round of downloadable content has launched for Drakengard 3. Over six weapon and outfit packs as well as a prologue and a theme pack are now available on PSN, and each is detailed below. Several of the packs were pre-order bonuses or are from the Collector’s Edition, including three alternate color schemes for Zero, an outfit based off of Caim’s from Nier, a costume based from Nier’s outfit in the Japan-only Nier Replicant, and even a Giant Baby head for Mikhail styled after the bizarre creatures in the first Drakengard. One’s Prologue, formerly a CE exclusive, is also available, which helps to flesh out backstory behind all the bloody mayhem.

Three new chapters have been announced for Dark Souls II. Bandai Namco has announced that FromSoftware is currently developing three downloadable packs, dubbed the The Lost Crowns trilogy: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King. The packs will drop on July 22, August 26, and September 24. Each will be available separately for $9.99 for console and PC and as a bundle for $24.99 as part of a Steam season pass for PC. The packs will add new areas, enemies, and bosses, with the first entry tasking players with exploring underground caverns dotted with pyramids in search of the crowns once owned by King Vendrick.

Drakengard 3 received several downloadable packs today, adding new missions, music, and costumes. Fans of the original will be able to reduce damage taken by 5% in Furiae’s Garb for $2.99, while fans of Drakengard 2 can reduce stamina loss by sporting the Eris’s Garb pack for $2.99. A music pack for $1.99, the Intoner Arrange Tracks, replaces the tunes played while Zero is in Intoner Mode. The biggest additions are the five Sister Prologues. Each $5.99 chapter (Zero, Two, Three, Four, and Five) includes a playable level and unique weapons, while a $29.99 bundle includes all five plus a bonus prologue for One.

Square Enix has launched Drakengard 3 in stores and online for PS3. As a prequel to the first Drakengard, players will venture around a medieval world in search of six beings known as Intoners. These demigods are the younger sister of protagonist Zero, who is on a mission to kill them, and her motives will be revealed as each is tracked down. In addition to the standard version, a Digital Collector’s Edition comes bundled with all of the extra downloadable content, which includes One’s Prologue, the Japanese voice pack, a giant baby hat (from the original Drakengard) for the dragon, Nier costumes, and six PSN themes.

Rise of the Triad (2013) creators 3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment have announced a new action title, Bombshell. The top-down action role-playing game is scheduled to come out early next year for PC and PS4. As Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison, players will fight their way across four planets to save the US President from aliens. Those damn dirty ap—aliens. Aliens. Damn dirty aliens.

NIS has announced that they will be bringing the side-scrolling beat ‘em up Battle Princess of Arcadias to North America this summer. The PSN–exclusive action RPG will launch on June 17 for PS3 and feature “an extensive upgrade system” that will allow players to unlock new weapons, characters, skills, and abilities through combat. As Battle Princess Plume, who is undoubtedly as vicious as her name, players will recruit soldiers and destroy the hordes of monsters that have overrun the Kingdom of Schwert. Vae victis!